Cairns community theatre bounces back with two sold out plays
Cairns’ Rondo Theatre has smashed box office records days after the curtain opened on its latest production.
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Cairns’ Rondo Theatre has smashed box office records for its latest production.
The Edge Hill community theatre group sold out each night of its latest play Drinking Habits, with just under 1500 tickets purchased ahead of opening night on Friday.
The success comes on the heels of sold out showings of The Importance of Being Earnest which broke ticketing records for the theatre.
Drinking Habits director and performer Nader Sallam said although he had faith his production would draw audiences, he was surprised by the community’s response.
“I didn’t expect tickets to go that quickly,” Mr Sallam said.
“It’s been a good year for the Rondo, after some hard Covid years.
“I think people want to be entertained and move on, enjoy life and laugh.”
Drinking Habits will introduce two brand new Cairns actors to the stage, Debbie Yee and Janelle ‘Nellie” Robson.
Ms Yee, who has never acted before, leapt at the chance to join the cast when the role of Mother Superior opened up late into rehearsals.
“About six weeks in, there was an opportunity to play one of the roles and I thought ‘oh, piece of cake I can do this’ and then the next day I was like ‘holy macaroni, what have I done?’” Ms Yee said.
Ms Robson had been a patron of the theatre since she moved to Cairns in 1993 and had always dreamt of being on stage.
“It’s just been a great experience for me because it is one of the bucket list things that I’ve always wanted to do. I always imagined myself auditioning and it’s never been the right time,” she said.
“If there’s anyone even thinking about auditioning, don’t put it off and, you know, give it a go, don’t let the nerves get to you.”
Tickets for the theatre’s last production of the 2023 season, 99 Dalmatians – the pantomime, are already selling fast.
The pantomime will run matinee and evening performances from November 24 to December 9. For information visit therondo.com.au.
Originally published as Cairns community theatre bounces back with two sold out plays
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